Sculpture repair

 This is a ceramic sculpture that dad purchased years ago. Mom values it because of the fact that dad never purchased things like art and it was an unusual event that he did so. I think they had met the artist. Anyway, the end of the violin breaks off (it has been repaired before, but apparently since then the glue will just dry up and the end will fall off). I repaired it today. The glue shows a bit. 

Claude Roy Saul

 

My father pass away at about 4:45 this morning (Saturday January 20). We'd been with him until about 1:30, Lori, mom, and I, and went home when it seemed like he was okay. He was sleeping calmly, waking occasionally as we talked or jostled him around, and seemed okay. Mom got the call and called me so I was there to sit with him since about 5:30 as all the business around such things occurs. He'd had dementia for quite some time and has been in the nursing home for two years less a couple weeks. Mom has been here almost every day. I visit often, even though I can't even remember that last time he spoke my name. I guess I've been a familiar face. We'd sit together. I'd tell him about whatever is going on in my life or the world. Conversations had become increasingly one-sided as it's been ages since he could talk about his years working in the Auditor General's Office, or playing hockey in college for the Brandon Wheat Kings, or playing cards or having a nice drink of rum. He did seem to enjoy watching people around him and he would point to things or situations that amused him. He enjoyed eating, which one could hardly believe since he'd lost so much weight. He'd always eat his meals and find room for chocolates or cookies or other sweet stuff. Small pleasures. He's 90 and it was his time. Goodbye dad. 

Visiting dad

I visited with dad (along with mom, Lori, Al, and Quinn) for a couple hours this afternoon. He was enjoying the chocolates and cookies. Not every talkative. Mom has all the cards on the wall as well as William's Carillon cover. 

 Mike and Paul came over in the evening and we played a round of "Sheriff of Nottingham", a board game that Geremy and co brought us. Pretty fun. 

Dad in wheel chair

 Dad's been in a wheel chair for the past couple of weeks. He's gotten more frail and falls a lot, but I'm worried that without walking, he'll get even weaker. Mom says she isn't strong enough to help him walk so I tried to get him up be he stubbornly refused. I think when he stops being stubborn, that is when we've lost him. 

Dad is singing

 Stopped in to see dad. Mom was there with him and she pointed out that he'd not sung happy birthday to her. We managed to get him singing and he went almost overboard with it. I've not seen him this talkative in months. Mom says he was talking at length about sports yesterday. 

Dad

 

Visited dad for a while. He enjoyed a couple of cookies and said a few things but seemed tired and didn't want to get up and walk anywhere. I have no real news for him and feel uncomfortable telling him old news that I've told him before, even though he certainly doesn't remember it. Maybe it is because he either doesn't care or doesn't comprehend the news and stories I tell him, so I am just lying to myself. Perhaps I'll start telling him plots to old tv shows instead of trying to tell him about my life or about family events. 

Dad on his feet

Visited dad. He's had some walking trouble this week but today he was not only walking but he was obsessively moving chairs around to get them away from the table for some reason. 

 

Swamp Fest on Willow Island

Went to Swamp Fest today. It started at 2 pm, which gave me time to visit with dad before hand. Mom told me that dad was being very quiet but today he was actually quite lively, laughing about the events around him (another tenant had fallen asleep in his chair and the attendant was trying to wake him up). 

At the festival, William spent most of his time on the ferry, hosting the ride in his role of Sir Reginald, but occasionally had interactions with the pirate. Jeff gave people a "Bath-tism" using a bathtub full of lake water. 

 

Dad's tooth

 Dad broke a tooth today. It was on his plate and I initially thought it was a foil wrapper from a candy. No pain from dad, but his teeth are in rapid decline. Not many left. This one has broken from its root so needs attention. 

Dad turns 90

Dad's 90th birthday today. The whole group sang to him before lunch and we served cake, which pretty much everyone ate before beginning their meal. Spent time with mom in the evening. 

Father's Day

 

Sharon is in town. Saw her last night at Lori's and again today over coffee. She brought dad along on an outing and was in a good (albeit quiet) mood. William and Margaret ordered a new vinyl lp from the singer of "Of Monsters and Men". and it arrived a couple days ago, just in time for today. 

Jeannie Mah in Moose Jaw

Drove out to Moose Jaw for the opening of Jeannie Mah's exhibition. Even though it is in the middle of Cathedral Festival and Yorkton Festival, the turn out was really great. 

When I visited dad earlier, they had cake and dad seemed to really want some. However, he then refused to even take a first bite of it. Odd day.

 

Kevin McKenzie at DAG

Kevin McKenzie's solo exhibition at the Sherwood branch of the Dunlop opened today with a conversation between him and Sherry. Very interesting insights into his work which has gotten away from fabrications out of plastics and artificial substances, and is rather a set of hockey gear made out of leather and other animal parts. 

Visited dad this evening. We had to look for him. The staff call him the magic man. He had gone into someone else's room, locked the door, and gone to sleep in their bed. 

 

Visiting dad and Lori

 Visited dad for a while. Watched some tv. Left just in time for Lori to arrive later. She dropped in to house afterwards and lent me her tax software. 

Dad after lunch

 Saw dad after lunch. This were messy so I called for some help. Dad was tired. I told him an old story he used to tell us about his father, the story that ends with "That'll be the day". He laughed but didn't seem to remember the story himself. 

Visiting dad and his buddies

 

While they did not seem to be socializing, dad was sitting with a couple of other fellows today when I visited him. Dad didn't want to go for a walk and said he was happy (not sure if that is "happy where he is" or an overall "happy"). 

St. Patrick's Day with dad

Dad was sleeping on his couch when I visited. I couldn't get him up for a long time but when the staff came in with green cupcakes, coffee with Baileys, and green beer, he finally sat up and consumed happily. I'm becoming less certain that he remembers who I am. 
 

Coffee with mom, visit with dad

 

Had coffee with Lori and mom this morning, then went and visited dad for a while. He seemed to like seeing his image on the phone screen, but was otherwise in a very untalkative and low energy day. 

Mom's frig

Re-assembled mom's freezer handle. It is just pressure fit on  but came off when she fell onto it a while back. She got someone to put it back on, but then it came off again. It must not have gone on tight enough because now that I put it on, it is quite difficult (but not impossible) to remove it. Also visited dad today. He has not much to say these days. 
 

Dad's bruises improving

 Visited dad. He seemed quite tired today and not much talking. His big bruise from last week has improved a lot though.